I always find it good for me to take the time and reflect on those who gave their lives to allow us to have the religious freedom in the U.S. that we experience today.
John Wycliffe is definitely one to remember and give thanks for all his work to bring the Gospel Message to generations long after his own death.
Wycliffe approximated date of death was December 31st, 1384. He passed of natural causes after a second stroke had left him confined to a bed with little if any body movement.
There are numerous detailed articles written of him and his life, and even societies that promote his beliefs to this very day. He has become known in Christianity as "The Morning Star" of the Reformation, giving much influence to leaders in the Protestant Reformation including John Huss, William Tynsdale, and Martin Luther.
One of Wycliffe's many accomplishments was the translation of the Scriptures from the Latin Vulgate into the vernacular language of his day...English. He was met with much resistance on this because of the Roman Catholic Church at that time stated Wycliffe nor anyone else not appointed by the Church would be allowed to do so.
Men like Wycliffe stood their ground and were not afraid to speak out...even if their very own lives were in danger. Wycliffe made some "outlandish" statements, and by that I mean...this guy was bold..and did not hold back what personal convictions he had on various subjects.
In regards to the Catholic church condemning his translation of the scripture, Wycliffe responds: " If Moses could write and read the Hebrew Law in their native tongue,
If the early Church could read the Scriptures in their common language,
Why are we not allowed to read the Scriptures in the vernacular?"
John Wycliffe lived during a time of much upheaval and crisis. The Black Plague had spread through Europe and England, killing 1/3 of the entire population and 1/2 the population in England. This event was a primary reason John Wycliffe began to seek God and find Him in such a personal matter.
Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church was going through what many deem as one of her "low ebbs in history", establishing laws and requirements that were both questionable and not according to the teachings of Christ. The Church itself had a split at the time which was to last almost 40 years where there were actually 2 popes, one in Rome and one in France. There was war between these two factions of the Church, and with the Roman Church owning almost 1/3 the land in England, tax exempt, yet able to tax the inhabitants ( to fund the war between the 2 popes), the situation escalated in England.
Again, John Wycliffe speaks boldly in a written format entitled "Civil Dominion" in which he called for major reforms within the framework of the Catholic Church.
I loved how he commented on the pope and his position in Rome: " The Roman Catholic Church renders this acknowledgement: because St. Peter died in Rome, and the Church is to be built on Peter being the Rock of the church, the Bishop of Rome is above all in Christendom.
By the same reasoning, the Muslim Turks who now occupy and control Jerusalem, with their leader, the Mullah, is where Christ Himself died. So, does that give the Mullah power over the pope?"
Wycliffe went on to make many other statements in reference to the authority of the Roman Catholic church during that time period. Some things he wrote:
In regards to the pope who even at that time was viewed by some as an anti-christ: " Any pope who does not follow Christ is an anti-christ."
On indulgences: "Salvation cannot be obtained through indulgences, penance, or any other devices of priestcrafts."
On the authority of the pope: " Christ is the Truth, the pope...the principle of falsehood. Christ lived in poverty...the pope labours for worldly magnificence. Christ refused temporal dominion, the pope...seeks it!"
Wycliffe often referred friars and priests within the Church as "priests of Baal."
Overall, John Wycliffe loved both God and his fellow man. He made bold announcements in regards to having a personal relationship with Christ and reading and obeying the Scripture, which He considered the true head of the Church.
We owe much to men like these, and as our year comes to a close, I take the time and give thanks to God...for John Wycliffe "The Morning Star".
John Wycliffe is definitely one to remember and give thanks for all his work to bring the Gospel Message to generations long after his own death.
Wycliffe approximated date of death was December 31st, 1384. He passed of natural causes after a second stroke had left him confined to a bed with little if any body movement.
There are numerous detailed articles written of him and his life, and even societies that promote his beliefs to this very day. He has become known in Christianity as "The Morning Star" of the Reformation, giving much influence to leaders in the Protestant Reformation including John Huss, William Tynsdale, and Martin Luther.
One of Wycliffe's many accomplishments was the translation of the Scriptures from the Latin Vulgate into the vernacular language of his day...English. He was met with much resistance on this because of the Roman Catholic Church at that time stated Wycliffe nor anyone else not appointed by the Church would be allowed to do so.
Men like Wycliffe stood their ground and were not afraid to speak out...even if their very own lives were in danger. Wycliffe made some "outlandish" statements, and by that I mean...this guy was bold..and did not hold back what personal convictions he had on various subjects.
In regards to the Catholic church condemning his translation of the scripture, Wycliffe responds: " If Moses could write and read the Hebrew Law in their native tongue,
If the early Church could read the Scriptures in their common language,
Why are we not allowed to read the Scriptures in the vernacular?"
John Wycliffe lived during a time of much upheaval and crisis. The Black Plague had spread through Europe and England, killing 1/3 of the entire population and 1/2 the population in England. This event was a primary reason John Wycliffe began to seek God and find Him in such a personal matter.
Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Church was going through what many deem as one of her "low ebbs in history", establishing laws and requirements that were both questionable and not according to the teachings of Christ. The Church itself had a split at the time which was to last almost 40 years where there were actually 2 popes, one in Rome and one in France. There was war between these two factions of the Church, and with the Roman Church owning almost 1/3 the land in England, tax exempt, yet able to tax the inhabitants ( to fund the war between the 2 popes), the situation escalated in England.
Again, John Wycliffe speaks boldly in a written format entitled "Civil Dominion" in which he called for major reforms within the framework of the Catholic Church.
I loved how he commented on the pope and his position in Rome: " The Roman Catholic Church renders this acknowledgement: because St. Peter died in Rome, and the Church is to be built on Peter being the Rock of the church, the Bishop of Rome is above all in Christendom.
By the same reasoning, the Muslim Turks who now occupy and control Jerusalem, with their leader, the Mullah, is where Christ Himself died. So, does that give the Mullah power over the pope?"
Wycliffe went on to make many other statements in reference to the authority of the Roman Catholic church during that time period. Some things he wrote:
In regards to the pope who even at that time was viewed by some as an anti-christ: " Any pope who does not follow Christ is an anti-christ."
On indulgences: "Salvation cannot be obtained through indulgences, penance, or any other devices of priestcrafts."
On the authority of the pope: " Christ is the Truth, the pope...the principle of falsehood. Christ lived in poverty...the pope labours for worldly magnificence. Christ refused temporal dominion, the pope...seeks it!"
Wycliffe often referred friars and priests within the Church as "priests of Baal."
Overall, John Wycliffe loved both God and his fellow man. He made bold announcements in regards to having a personal relationship with Christ and reading and obeying the Scripture, which He considered the true head of the Church.
We owe much to men like these, and as our year comes to a close, I take the time and give thanks to God...for John Wycliffe "The Morning Star".
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